Unionist Party of South Africa

The Unionist Party was a liberal political party in South Africa that was active from 1910 to 1920. The party succeeded the Progressive Party of Cape Colony, and it supported the protection of South African industries (particularly the mining industries) from foreign competition that would force more unwanted Indian immigration to South Africa. The Anglo-South African middle class and the mining corporations were the party's largest support bases, and it enthusiastically supported British imperialism. The party supported the South African Party in a minority government during World War I, and the Unionists and South African Party, eclipsed by the growth of the National Party, merged in November 1920 to form an enlarged SAP.